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Macbook air 2017 SSD Compatibility with Samsung SSD
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I installed the same Samsung 970 EVO M.2 SSD (500 GB version) in my 2017 MacBook Air and everything is working fine. Installation was a breeze with the Sintech adapter. The only thing that bugs me is the drive is not getting the Read/Write speeds that Samsung claims. I get around 1400 MB/s write and 1500 MB/s read using Blackmagic Disk Speed Test. Samsung claims the drive is capable of 3500 MB/s read and 2500 MB/s write. Are the slower speeds due to the APFS file system, macOS in general, or are those speeds only possible on Windows?
Edit: After doing some research it seems the 2017 MacBook Air only has a PCIe 2.0 x4 interface which limits the drive to 5.0 GT/s which translates to the rough maximum of 1500 MB/s read/write speeds. Kind of a bummer as I was hoping for the speeds Samsung quotes in the specs. Probably really doesn't matter that much as the difference would probably not really be noticeable and the battery life would go down even more.
Also, for those still looking to upgrade their drive with the Sintech adapter, it is also available on Amazon so you don't have to wait forever for one to be delivered from China.
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Does anyone know how these Samsung 970 EVO read/write speeds compare to the new 2018 MacBook Air speeds?
Well I just picked up a super cheap, early 2015 base model 13" MBA. (1.6 i5/4GB/128GB)
Still not sure if I'm going to keep it, but decided to try out the upgrade since I already had the Sintech adapter(s) and 512GB Samsung 960 Pro around. I used my Mojave USB installer to upgrade on the original SSD first and then after installed the 960 Pro, formatted it with Disk Utility and then installed Mojave on it.
(adapter on top, 960 Pro in the middle and the original 128GB SSUBX ssd on the bottom)
The original ssd speeds (write is limited by the 128GB capacity).
960 Pro (limited by the pcie 2.0 x4 speed)
Both tested after a fresh install of Mojave.
Haven't had any problems so far (sleep, etc.), but I haven't tested it that long. My main machine is a 2017 15" MBP (2.9/16GB/512GB), so I haven't really tested battery life.
Still not sure if I'm going to keep it, but decided to try out the upgrade since I already had the Sintech adapter(s) and 512GB Samsung 960 Pro around. I used my Mojave USB installer to upgrade on the original SSD first and then after installed the 960 Pro, formatted it with Disk Utility and then installed Mojave on it.
(adapter on top, 960 Pro in the middle and the original 128GB SSUBX ssd on the bottom)
The original ssd speeds (write is limited by the 128GB capacity).
960 Pro (limited by the pcie 2.0 x4 speed)
Both tested after a fresh install of Mojave.
Haven't had any problems so far (sleep, etc.), but I haven't tested it that long. My main machine is a 2017 15" MBP (2.9/16GB/512GB), so I haven't really tested battery life.
En route to install an Intel 760p 512gb NVMe in my 2017 MBA.
Was wondering.. did anyone install a SSD heat spreader on top?
Even though the drive I intend to install is pretty laid back regarding power consumption (and subsequent heat), I would like to disperse any heat there is. Im also considering the 970 EVO, which I heard runs very, very warm at times.
Any one did it? Is there enough room in the MBA ?
Was wondering.. did anyone install a SSD heat spreader on top?
Even though the drive I intend to install is pretty laid back regarding power consumption (and subsequent heat), I would like to disperse any heat there is. Im also considering the 970 EVO, which I heard runs very, very warm at times.
Any one did it? Is there enough room in the MBA ?
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To be perfectly honest, there is not enough room with the cover installed to put a heat spreader on top of the SSD... I don't see how you will be able to do this without causing issues... I would love to be proved wrong here though since I just installed a 2TB Samsung 970EVO NVMe M.2 in my MacBook Air
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Thank you guys for help on this subject. Could someone help me here. Actually wanna upgrade my mac air early 2015 with the a 500 Go ssd. If I understand well the samsung 960 EVO or PRO are the best solutions for many technical reasons. Is it right ?
Second question : is there any difference between the SMALL M2 adapter ( the one which many guys talked about ) and the long one like above ?
Last question is about bootcamp windows on mac. I read that it is impossible to run windows via bootcamp if we replace the "official" ssd of apple by NVMe ssd. Do you confirm ?
Thanks !
Second question : is there any difference between the SMALL M2 adapter ( the one which many guys talked about ) and the long one like above ?
Last question is about bootcamp windows on mac. I read that it is impossible to run windows via bootcamp if we replace the "official" ssd of apple by NVMe ssd. Do you confirm ?
Thanks !
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I have no experience and thus no answer to #3, but I just completed an upgrade to my Early 2015 a week ago or so. I chose the Adata SX8200 480GB over the Samsung's for a few reasons. Wwwwaaaaayyyyyy less power consumption. Quite a bit cheaper. And runs much cooler. Installation was a 5 minute task after doing the updates etc. I had the most current version of Mojave on my machine, made a USB boot drive of Mojave and did both a time machine backup as well as a Carbon Copy Cloner backup as well.
I used the Short Sintech adapter (actual Sintech branded) as it provides a thinner profile inside the MBA. It went in perfectly. I did note that if the screw holding the drive in is overtightened that the whole drive board would bow a bit and so just snugged it up with no problems. After installation the mac booted on the Mojave installer disk and recognized the Adata instantly. Formatted and installed Mojave and then did a migration of my data with no issues.
Speeds are a tonne faster. Has a snappy and quick feel to it. Large apps load wwwayyy faster and things are again more instant than ever recall!! Battery life seems the same. No battery percentage loss in sleep mode, Actually I'm finding even less heat than with the original samsung drive. iStat Menu is showing 25-28 deg C where as before it was always over 40... I'm very happy with the upgrade.
No experience with Bootcamp.....
Edit: I should add thatI did before and after Black magic isa speed check. Read speeds went from 1100's to 1500's and write speeds from 700's to high 1300's. I should mention that I did get one faster write on the old Apple samsung drive in the 1300's but it was a rare anomolly as most of the writes were between 550-750.
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I also did this upgrade last week.
ADATA SX8200 480GB. First I used the short Sintech adapter, later I changed my mind and installed with the long sintech adapter. (There was no prolonged screw dilevered with the long adapter, but luckily I had one lying around.)
They both fit and SSD is registred Nvm-e PCI-e 2.0 4 lanes, 5GT.
I also noted a pretty cold MBA, long (or even longer) battery time. Very happy with the upgrade.
I specifically did not choose the EVO 970, to avoid heat and excessive battery loss.
Paxx, do you mind downloading this app and measure your 4K write speeds..?
http://www.katsurashareware.com/pgs/adm.html
I got a feeling mine are too low, but I’m not sure what to expect, or why they are too low. If they are. Thanks.
Here it is.......mine looks low to me as well. Is this in line with what yours says?
Has anyone tried the new Crucial P1 m.2 SSD yet? If yes, how is the battery life compared to stock or a Samsung 970 EVO/Pro?
To be perfectly honest, there is not enough room with the cover installed to put a heat spreader on top of the SSD... I don't see how you will be able to do this without causing issues... I would love to be proved wrong here though since I just installed a 2TB Samsung 970EVO NVMe M.2 in my MacBook Air
Hey Macdctr, have you noticed more battery drain with the 970evo?
Yes, there is more battery drain using the 970EVO but then I had my AC adapter so no big deal. Loved having the 2TB drive installed in my MBA
Unfortunately my MacPro demanded the 970EVO drive because this drive is fully compatible as a PCIe NVMe boot drive and I wanted to speed up performance on my aging MacPro so I ended up swapping drives from my MBA and placed my 970EVO 2TB drive inside my MacPro 5,1.
My MBA now has my 512GB 950PRO M.2 drive installed. Battery performance is excellent using this drive.
Hey where did you get the Adata SX8200 480GB ssd from? They seem to be very expensive on amazon.I have no experience and thus no answer to #3, but I just completed an upgrade to my Early 2015 a week ago or so. I chose the Adata SX8200 480GB over the Samsung's for a few reasons. Wwwwaaaaayyyyyy less power consumption. Quite a bit cheaper. And runs much cooler. Installation was a 5 minute task after doing the updates etc. I had the most current version of Mojave on my machine, made a USB boot drive of Mojave and did both a time machine backup as well as a Carbon Copy Cloner backup as well.
I used the Short Sintech adapter (actual Sintech branded) as it provides a thinner profile inside the MBA. It went in perfectly. I did note that if the screw holding the drive in is overtightened that the whole drive board would bow a bit and so just snugged it up with no problems. After installation the mac booted on the Mojave installer disk and recognized the Adata instantly. Formatted and installed Mojave and then did a migration of my data with no issues.
Speeds are a tonne faster. Has a snappy and quick feel to it. Large apps load wwwayyy faster and things are again more instant than ever recall!! Battery life seems the same. No battery percentage loss in sleep mode, Actually I'm finding even less heat than with the original samsung drive. iStat Menu is showing 25-28 deg C where as before it was always over 40... I'm very happy with the upgrade.
No experience with Bootcamp.....
Edit: I should add thatI did before and after Black magic isa speed check. Read speeds went from 1100's to 1500's and write speeds from 700's to high 1300's. I should mention that I did get one faster write on the old Apple samsung drive in the 1300's but it was a rare anomolly as most of the writes were between 550-750.
Hey Jumme can you report again how your battery is doing after 2 weeks of using the adata ssd?
Another thing you mentioned was you upgraded to high sierra to complete the ssd upgrade. Does this mean it is not possible with Sierra? I read a lot of negative comments about high sierra and I have been doing ok with macOS Sierra.Yes, there is more battery drain using the 970EVO but then I had my AC adapter so no big deal. Loved having the 2TB drive installed in my MBA
Unfortunately my MacPro demanded the 970EVO drive because this drive is fully compatible as a PCIe NVMe boot drive and I wanted to speed up performance on my aging MacPro so I ended up swapping drives from my MBA and placed my 970EVO 2TB drive inside my MacPro 5,1.
My MBA now has my 512GB 950PRO M.2 drive installed. Battery performance is excellent using this drive.
I did not upgrade to High Sierra. I installed Mojave on my SSD... no issues with my install.
I actually am from Canada and bought my SX8200 from www.memoryexpress.com. They had a great sale going on and I paid $130 Cnd. for the 480GB. much cheaper than Amazon. They still have that price going......at current exchange rates that makes it just over $94 US.
[doublepost=1545314711][/doublepost]Just an update on my Adata SX8200 480GB in my early 2015 MBA........... After a month of usage with this drive I am still amazed at how much cooler the MBA runs. The fan very seldom engages!! Battery life is better than with the original samsung drive and the whole computer seems to be more.......well.......snappier. Very happy with the upgrade and would not hesitate to recommend this to anyone thinking about adding life to their MBA.
Hey Macdctr, thank you for your answers, I am currently running Sierra which has been great for me. I see a lot of people complaining of High Sierra being slower, specially with boot time. Do you know how long High Sierra takes to boot up in your case? I have everything ready to do the upgrade and have looked up how to run Nvme drives on Sierra but I understand nothing on how to achieve this. I am afraid of having High Sierra perform worse than Sierra.
I am a long time reader first time poster! But I think I may be having an issue with my MBA 13" 2017 after I installed a Adata SX8200 480GB last week. Please be patient with me as I am new to Macbooks lol. Below is a list of the steps I did when I installed the new SSD.
Installed the new SSD
I believe I reset the NVRAM
Inserted my Mojave installation thumb drive
Powered the computer on and went to disk utility and formatted the new SSD to APFS format (I read this was the correct format for Mac's with SSD)
Then I went back to the main startup screen and clicked on install MacOS
I clicked on install Mojave
It asked me to sign into the Wifi network
After that I believe it installed Mojave and then came up to the Setup page where I enter in my Apple ID and setup the computer as a new one.
So after doing that I have been playing with the MBA for about a week 1 to 2 hours per day (surfing internet, checking emails, nothing very resource intensive), and the computer seems to get much warmer on the bottom then it did before the SSD install and the battery life seems to be less then it was before the new SSD install.
I have downloaded a couple of programs to monitor the MBA temperatures and it seems to average around 75C with the fans running at roughly 1600rpm. From what I have seen online this is an acceptable temperature for it to operate at, but the bottom of the laptop is still very warm. Also I have looked at the activity monitor program and it doesn't look like anything is running at 100% or anything is really hogging the CPU.
So my question is did I miss a step or is there something else that needs to be done to help reduce the heat my MBA is generating. I read about many people having the exact opposite experience once they install these drives (cooler running & better battery life)
Other then this small heat issue this drive works great and seems to be alot faster then the 128gb drive that came in the MBA. And the install was super easy!
Thank you for your help!
Installed the new SSD
I believe I reset the NVRAM
Inserted my Mojave installation thumb drive
Powered the computer on and went to disk utility and formatted the new SSD to APFS format (I read this was the correct format for Mac's with SSD)
Then I went back to the main startup screen and clicked on install MacOS
I clicked on install Mojave
It asked me to sign into the Wifi network
After that I believe it installed Mojave and then came up to the Setup page where I enter in my Apple ID and setup the computer as a new one.
So after doing that I have been playing with the MBA for about a week 1 to 2 hours per day (surfing internet, checking emails, nothing very resource intensive), and the computer seems to get much warmer on the bottom then it did before the SSD install and the battery life seems to be less then it was before the new SSD install.
I have downloaded a couple of programs to monitor the MBA temperatures and it seems to average around 75C with the fans running at roughly 1600rpm. From what I have seen online this is an acceptable temperature for it to operate at, but the bottom of the laptop is still very warm. Also I have looked at the activity monitor program and it doesn't look like anything is running at 100% or anything is really hogging the CPU.
So my question is did I miss a step or is there something else that needs to be done to help reduce the heat my MBA is generating. I read about many people having the exact opposite experience once they install these drives (cooler running & better battery life)
Other then this small heat issue this drive works great and seems to be alot faster then the 128gb drive that came in the MBA. And the install was super easy!
Thank you for your help!
I'm not sure about the bootrom. Is there somewhere I can find that on the computer?